The AICPA and NASBA launched an integrated education and experience program for students who need or want a path to the 150 credit hours of education required for CPA licensure, that allows them to earn up to 30 educational credit hours while they are in a paid accounting position. The ELE combines meaningful online academic coursework integrated with work experience.
The first cohort of student associates began courses in January 2024. All student associates in the pilot program will take online, asynchronous courses from our pilot partner Tulane University.
Participating employers will give student associates time to study and learn, allow them to apply what they learn during their client engagements, and provide mentoring on a regular basis. As the program is expanded, we expect to increase the learning offerings to address, more comprehensively, both employer and employee needs. If a student associate needs the full 30 credit hours, the total tuition cost will be under $5,000, and less if fewer credits are needed.
The ELE program includes semester start dates in Spring, Summer and Fall. Enrollment for Fall 2024 is currently open. As the program develops, the ELE will become an increasingly dynamic and cost-effective recruitment tool for firms to leverage in new staff hiring and helping existing staff over the CPA finish line. To best equip student associates for success, firms will establish flexible work schedules including dedicated time to complete on-line coursework.
To participate in the program, a firm agrees to:
As a participant in the program, a student will:
If you are interested in hiring staff, committing existing staff, or putting student employees through this program in your firm to participate in the ELE program beginning in Summer 2024, Fall 2024, or beyond please reach out to us at Feedback@ExperienceLearnEarn.org
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What is the ELE Program? (+) Show answer
The Experience, Learn and Earn (ELE) program is an AICPA and NASBA initiative to develop an integrated education and experience program for students who need a path to the 150 credit hours required for CPA licensure.
The ELE pilot program is intended as a recruiting tool for employers. Participating employers may use the program to attract talent interested in pursuing the CPA. Employers are also welcome to use the program to help existing staff reach their 150 hour requirement.
In order to be eligible for the program, the student must have graduated with a bachelor’s degree and core accounting classes at fewer than 150 credit hours. As a participant in the program, a student will:
Why is the ELE Program needed? (+) Show answer
Some students today face certain hurdles when trying to obtain their 150 credit hours for CPA licensure including lack of resources to complete the +30 and lack of awareness of options to secure the required 150 credit hours. The ELE program provides a route for students without the means or a formalized plan such as a master’s degree to earn 150 credit hours through meaningful online coursework integrated with early work experience. This program will provide additional flexibility in a student’s journey to completing their education requirements, increase accessibility to accounting career opportunities and obtain qualifying academic credits for CPA licensure.
What are the principles of the ELE Program? (+) Show answer
The ELE program:
How can my firm or organization participate in the ELE Program? (+) Show answer
If you are an employer interested in hiring staff or committing existing staff to participate in the ELE in the pilot, please reach out to us at Feedback@ExperienceLearnEarn.org
Can my firm or organization offer the ELE Program to existing staff?(+) Show answer
Yes. The program is open to any staff, new or existing, employed in an accounting position with a completed bachelor’s degree and core accounting courses and in need of up to 30 additional credit hours. Note that the ELE program does not offer core accounting courses required for CPA licensure, and is focused on courses critical to the work being completed in the profession of today and tomorrow.
Does the education component of the program also count towards the student’s experience requirement for licensure? (+) Show answer
The AICPA and NASBA’s goal for the ELE Program is to help students fulfill their education requirement for CPA licensure. It is not the intention of the program to count the education component as part of a CPA candidate’s experience requirement for licensure. However, what qualifies as experience is ultimately up to each state board of accountancy and candidates should review the rules in the state they intend to apply for licensure.
How can a student join the ELE Program? (+) Show answer
Firms and organizations will recruit and hire students into the ELE program. To participate in the program, a student must have completed their bachelor’s degree and core accounting courses and be hired by an employer participating in the program.
What kind of courses will be included in the ELE Program? (+) Show answer
The coursework in the ELE program will include topics based on skills and competencies needed by first year staff. The courses will be offered in an online, asynchronous format and once completed will be listed on a university transcript acceptable for CPA licensure. The ELE program does not offer the core accounting courses required for state licensure.
Are students required to take all 30 credit hours? (+) Show answer
No, students are not required to take 30 credit hours. The program is flexible and will allow students to take any number of credit hours based on individual need, up to 30 hours.
Will students earn a degree for the ELE Program? (+) Show answer
The ELE program is a non-degree earning program. Students will receive a transcript with their completed courses that can be submitted in their application for CPA licensure.
How could the ELE Program evolve in the future? (+) Show answer
The ELE program is flexible with the opportunity to evolve. We look forward to learning from the pilot and evolving the program based on feedback from the students, employers and universities. As the program grows, it could:
Who can I reach out to with more questions?
Please reach out to us at Feedback@ExperienceLearnEarn.org.
